Bluffton golf academy to close its doors. The school is blaming COVID-19
The International Junior Golf Academy will close its Bluffton campus at the end of May, citing an expected enrollment drop that the school is blaming on COVID-19.
Despite growing enrollment over the past two years, the academy decided to close its Old Carolina campus in Bluffton “after careful consideration,” a Wednesday news release said.
“As a result of the COVID-19 virus, the organization expects lower recruitment and enrollment in both of the IJGA campuses for the 2020/21 school year from our majority international markets,” the release said.
The academy will cease operations at the end of its academic year on May 31. Current students will be allowed to attend the school’s other campus in Florida and “additional information will be shared with all stakeholders in the coming days,” the release said.
The release did not state when or if the academy will reopen.
“We understand this presents a challenge for many of our students and their families, and we will work with everyone interested in continuing their relationship with IJGA,” Andrew Summers, the academy’s CEO, said in the release. “While we sincerely regret ever having to close an academy, the goal is to strengthen IJGA in the face of this global crisis to ensure IJGA remains the premier golf academy.”
The academy’s partner, Heritage Academy on Hilton Head Island, will stay open, according to the release.
Academy officials did not return a call for comment on Thursday.
